System Designated "Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality" for the 5th Consecutive Year

NYC Health + Hospitals Designated "Leader in LGBTQ Health Care Equality" for Fifth Consecutive Year

Human Rights Campaign once again recognized 23 NYC Health + Hospitals facilities for embracing LGBTQ inclusion and patient-centered care

Sep 08, 2020

New York, NY

NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that 23 of its patient care locations across all five boroughs have one again received the designation “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) for 2020. This is the fifth consecutive year NYC Health + Hospitals has received this designation for the health system’s commitment to healthcare equality and leadership in meeting the health care needs of LGBTQ New Yorkers. A record 765 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2020 survey. Of those included in the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), 495 earned an “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation. NYC Health + Hospitals is at the forefront of ensuring equitable access to high-quality care for LGBTQ patients, offering a variety of services through its five Pride Health Centers, and offers gender-affirming surgery.

“Our health system is honored to be recognized as a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” by such a trusted voice in human rights,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “We will continue to carry out our mission of providing access to inclusive, culturally responsive, high-quality health care for all New Yorkers, continuing to break down barriers to health care that LGBTQ communities still face.”

“From the previously unimaginable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the horrific incidents of racial violence targeting the Black community, the events of the past year have brought about so much pain and uncertainty. Yet, even during this moment of profound unrest, we are seeing more of our humanity and resilience come to life. For me, nowhere is that truer than through the tireless dedication of our health care providers and the intrepid support and administrative staff members by their sides that show up every day to ensure this life-saving work continues,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “The health care facilities participating in the HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) are not only on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also making it clear from their participation in the HEI that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients. In addition, many have made strong statements on racial justice and equity and are engaging in efforts to address racial inequities in their institutions and their communities. We commend all of the HEI participants for their commitment to providing inclusive care for all.”

Every year, HRC recognizes the health care facilities that participate in the HEI for their dedication and commitment to LGBTQ inclusion. The honor acknowledges hospitals, community health centers, and nursing homes across the country that embrace LGBTQ inclusion and patient-centered care. Expanding access to care for LGBTQ patients is part of the health system’s broader multi-year redesign to build a competitive, sustainable organization that will continue to offer high-quality and accessible health care to the people of New York City.

The 13th edition of the Health Care Equality Index assesses participants on four criteria: Non-Discrimination and Staff Training, Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and Patient and Community Engagement.

“We, at the NYC Unity Project, are incredibly proud to partner closely with NYC Health + Hospitals to make sure that all LGBTQ+ New Yorkers receive the best possible care throughout New York City. We applaud NYC Health + Hospitals on this very well-deserved honor and are proud to stand with them in their commitment to building and growing some of the most cutting-edge LGBTQ+ training and services of any public hospital system in the nation or world,” said Ashe McGovern, Executive Director of the NYC Unity Project in the NYC Mayor’s Office.

“I congratulate NYC Health + Hospitals on five consecutive years of this important recognition,” said Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried. “NYC Health + Hospitals has earned national recognition for its dedication to health equity and leadership in culturally-competent care for all New Yorkers regardless of ability to pay, and I encourage LGBTQ+ New Yorkers to seek out health care services at these facilities.”

Pride Centers

To better serve the health care needs of New York City’s LGBTQ communities, NYC Health + Hospitals has five Pride Health Centers that provide culturally responsive health services to LGBTQ New Yorkers and address barriers that contribute to health disparities among LGBTQ youth and adults. The centers offer services for women’s health; men’s health; gender transition; hormone therapy; HIV and STD prevention, screening, and treatment services; adolescent care; social work and behavioral health services; and general primary care.

Gender-Affirming Surgery

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, a pioneer in LGBTQ medical and psychosocial care, offers a variety of services through its Pride Health Center, including gender-affirming surgery on the chest, also known as “top surgery.” Feminizing top surgery can involve breast implants or breast augmentation. Masculinizing top surgery can involve a mastectomy, or removal of breast tissue. The hospital offers top surgeries to transgender and gender non-conforming patients, who meet criteria defined by their insurance plans and their medical providers.

Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality

The complete list of 23 NYC Health + Hospitals patient care locations recognized as “Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation:

Brooklyn:

Bronx:

Manhattan:

Queens:

Staten Island:

For more information about LGBTQ health services, visit nychealthandhospitals.org/LGBTQHealth or call 1-844-NYC-4NYC.

Contact: Press Office, 212-788-3339

About NYC Health + Hospitals

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or Twitter at @NYCHealthSystem.

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NYC Health + Hospitals Designated "Leader in LGBTQ Health Care Equality" for Fifth Consecutive Year